How to wrap cookies as presents

Cookies make creative and delicious gifts.

Cookies can make creative gifts, whether you enjoy baking or simply giving a gift with a personal touch. They also accommodate any holiday or celebration, from birthdays to graduation parties. Depending on how ambitious you feel, you may want to wrap dozens of cookie gifts for your next party or just one box for your neighbor across the street. Whatever you decide, have fun with it!

Things You'll Need

• Cookies
• Tin, canister, box, gift bag or platter
• Tissue paper
• Shredded decorative paper
• Wax paper
• Cellophane
• Ribbon
• Gift tag (optional)
• Self-adhesive bow (optional)
• Paper doily (optional)

Instructions

Tins and Boxes

1. Place a piece of tissue paper on the bottom of your tin or box, allowing the excess paper to fold up and out the sides. Add a layer of shredded decorative paper to provide a cushion for your cookies.

2. Layer your cookies in the tin or box. For freshness, place a piece of wax paper between the layers.

3. Fold the excess tissue paper toward the middle of your container to cover the cookies. Cover with the container lid immediately to keep the cookies fresh.

4. Attach a ribbon or self-adhesive bow to the lid and add a personalized message on a gift tag if desired.

Decorative Bags

1. Place cookies in a decorative bag, leaving enough room at the top to close the bag. Craft stores typically sell cookie and candy bags that come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit the occasion.

2. Gather the bag at the top and secure with a ribbon. If you chose to use curling ribbon, curl the ribbon by sliding a scissor blade gently along the length of the ribbon.

3. Add a gift tag with a personalized message by attaching it to the ribbon at the top of the bag.

Platters

1. Lay a piece of wax paper or paper doily on a platter. This will help to protect the platter and keep it clean.

2. Place a thin layer of shredded decorative paper on the wax paper or doily to provide padding for the cookies.

3. Assemble the cookies on the platter to your liking. Ways to arrange the cookies include clustering similar cookies in designated areas of the platter, mixing the cookies or "spiraling" the cookies from the center of the plate to the edge by stacking each cookie halfway on top of the previous cookie.

4. Wrap the entire platter with cellophane paper, securing the top with a bow or ribbon. Curl the ribbon if you use curling ribbon.

5. Tie a gift tag with the ribbon and add a personalized message if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Coordinate the colors of your containers, papers and cookies to make a theme.

• Present your creatively wrapped cookies at a cookie exchange party.

• For other container ideas, consider using small baskets and redecorated plastic and cardboard food containers.

• Toss in a few wrapped candies to add texture and variety to your gift.

• Use extreme care when handling cookies, especially brittle ones that may crumble easily.

• The size of the cookie should reflect the size and shape of the container you use.

• Give your cookies soon after they are made so your friends enjoy fresh-baked treats.

References

• Taste of Home: Wrap Up Christmas Cookies and Candies